Object toss target game

ABSTRACT

The object toss target game includes a board preferably with holes in gaming regions to provide a gameplay surface. A support is pivotally connected to the bottom of the board in spring-biased fashion to maintain the board in a neutral position level with the ground when there are no gaming objects are on the top surface of the board. When gaming objects of on the surface of the board and there is uneven weighting on the top surface due to the gaming objects on the gameplay surface, the gameplay surface will tilt providing dynamic gameplay. The board may also be two boards hingedly connected to each other so the board may be folded into to a compact size and shape to reveal a handle to facilitate transport and storage.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to, and claims benefit from, U.S.Provisional Application No. 63/155,957, filed on Mar. 3, 2021, entitled“BAG TOSS TARGET GAME,” incorporated by reference in its entirety,herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to games. More specifically, thepresent invention relates to a gaming object toss game, in the nature ofcornhole yard game, where gaming objects are tossed or thrown toward aplatform that typically has a hole therethrough. For example, the gamingobjects can be any object that can be thrown or tossed, such asbeanbags, balls, horseshoes, and the like.

More specifically, the well-known game of cornhole includes two angled“boards” that are positioned in spaced apart relation to one another.The boards are typically rigid and non-foldable. Each of the boardsinclude a hole positioned therethrough. Players toss bags, which arefilled with beans, sand, or the like, toward a platform. Points areawarded depending on whether the bags land to rest on the platform orpass through the hole. For example, 1 point is commonly awarded if a bagremains on the platform and 3 points are awarded if the bag passesthrough the hole. Typically, no points are awarded if a bag does notremain on the platform or pass through the hole.

Typical boards are quite large and heavy. For example, a regulationcornhole board has a playing surface that is commonly in the range of47.5″ to 48″×23.5″ to 24″. The playing surface has a minimum thicknessof ½″ with cross-section backing, or ¾″ with or without cross-sectionbacking. Each hole is 6″ diameter, centered 9″ from the top of the boardand centered from each side edge. The front of the board is 3″ to 4″from the ground to the top of the playing surface. The back of the boardis usually 12″ from the ground to the top of the playing surface. Theplaying surface is typically be finished and sanded to a smooth texture,There should be little to no blemishes in the wood surface that maydisrupt or distort play. Also, the playing surface can be painted with ahigh gloss latex paint or varnish. The surface should allow bags toslide when thrown, but not be so slippery that the bags slide back downthe platform.

As can be understood, the resultant known cornhole boards are quiteheavy and large thereby making it difficult to transport and store.While the foregoing parameters may be acceptable for regulation andcompetition cornhole play for the more serious player, such largecornhole boards are too large, heavy and cumbersome for casual gameplay.In particular, the regulation cornhole boards are so large and heavythat they can discourage playing cornhole for the casual player.However, there is a need to provide to the casual user a cornhole stylegame that is still fun, maintaining many of the gameplay elements of theoriginal cornhole game while adding new gameplay elements to providemore interest to the casual player.

There have been a number of attempts to address the shortcomings anddisadvantages of prior art game equipment. For example, the prior artincludes a bag tossing game that utilizes a fold up feature toincorporate a drink holder but this does not affect gameplay. Alsoprovided in the prior art is gameplay equipment that uses a pair offixed, wedge-shaped half sections, each including an apertured andinclined plane functioning as a target. Individual wedge-shaped sectionsmay be deployed separately in a tossing game configuration. or they maybe clamped together in the form of a parallelepiped for storage ortransportation. The target sections are relatively cumbersome and heavy,making convenient transportation and deployment difficult. Also, theprior art envisions multiple game plates for presenting distinctivegeometrical configurations as well as different sized holes forreceiving bags therethrough as well as other modular components that canbe added to the boards.

Also, by the nature of cornhole and the official rules thereof, theboards are in a fixed angled position. For the casual player, the fixednature of the boards may not be exciting or interesting enough.

Therefore, there is a need for a cornhole-like game that gives theconsumer the general fun of playing the game of cornhole but without theburden of storing and transporting large cornhole boards so the game canbe played.

There is a further need for a cornhole game that is more dynamic innature to provide more interest to the user.

Therefore, there is yet a further need for cornhole game equipment to behighly portable.

There is yet a further need for cornhole game equipment to be foldableor collapsible to a compact size to facilitate storing and transport.

There is another need for a cornhole game to include additional rulesand challenges to maintain interest in the game, particularly for casualusers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention provides a highly portable version of a cornholestyle yard game.

While gaming objects are referred to herein for ease of reference, itshould be understood that the game of the present invention can use andaccommodate any type of gaming object that can be thrown or tossed, suchas beanbags, balls, horseshoes, and the like. The scope of the presentinvention is intended to cover any type of object that can be thrown ortossed.

In contrast to a traditional cornhole board, the present inventionprovides an object toss target game that is relatively small compared toknown cornhole boards. Then target game of the present invention mayinclude two or more boards that are hinged connected to one another and,as a result, capable of being folded to a compact size and shape. Eachboard may represent a gameplay area, such as one area for each player orteam. For example, a target hole may be provided in each of the gameplayareas. In an alternative embodiment, a single unitary board may beprovided with different regions thereof representing a gameplay areawith target holes respectively therein.

In a first embodiment, the object toss target game of the presentinvention includes two relatively small boards that are hingedlyconnected to each other via a centrally mounted pivot/hinge. This allowsthe boards to fold and reveal a handle for easy transport and storage.As a result, the two boards, collectively, provide a gameplay surface,at a single location, for gameplay. Essentially, in the firstembodiment, the two boards are half boards that fold out to provide asingle gameplay surface. This is in contrast to the two large boardsthat are used in spaced apart relation to each other for in regulationcornhole gameplay.

As a support, two legs are preferably provided that are nested on theunderside of the board top. Assembly is made easy by a central shaftthat the legs simply slide onto. The two halves of the board are securedclosed by two press fit locks, thereby defining a cavity inside, whichallows for storage of the bean bags therein. Thus, when opened for use,the two boards provide a co-planar top surface with two holes to providethe gameplay surface.

After the two half-boards are opened, they are reinforced and securedinto the open condition by a sliding support lock member, for example,on the underside of the half-boards. Such slide locking maintains thehalf-boards in a fully open condition where the respective top surfacesof the half-boards are in plane with one another to provide a unitarygameplay surface with two holes therethrough. This also ensures that thehinge mechanism will not break if the board halves are pushed down uponby the consumer.

In a second embodiment, rather that providing multiple boards that arehingedly connected to one another, a single unitary board may be usedwhereby different regions thereof provide different gameplay regions inwhich target holes are preferably provided therein.

Whether the object toss target game of the present invention includes asingle board for the gameplay surface or multiple boards that are matedtogether to provide the gameplay surface, unique dynamic gameplay isprovided as compared to the static gameplay of known traditionalcornhole game equipment. More specifically, the object toss target gameof the present invention provides a gameplay surface, whether via asingle unitary board or multiple boards connected together, that is alsopivotally mounted to a support, such as a connected support legs withcompression springs to provide spring-biasing. The support is preferablymounted to the bottom of the central region of the board. This allowsfor either the single board or multiple boards together (collectivelyreferred to as the board) to tip side to side like a see-saw in responseto added weight from objects landing on either side. The legs or othersupport member are configured and arranged to interact with the springson the bottom of the board or boards so that when under the weight of anobject or more than one object and there is balance of weight on theboard, the board remains level. If there is an imbalance of weight, suchas when there or multiple objects residing on one side of the board, theboard will tilt against the forces of the springs under that side of theboard. If the imbalance is great enough, the board will tilt evenfurther thereby causing objects slide off of the top surface of theboard thereby affecting the score of the game. When the objects areremoved from gameplay surface, the forces of the springs will cause theboard to right itself and become substantially level to ground.

As an example, when there are no objects present on the board surface,the collective board is in a level position where both sets of springsact to keep the board level. Also, if there are bags on the board, theboard will be tilted due to the weight of the bag but if the bag fallsoff, the board will reset back to its neutral level condition due tospring-biasing of springs on that side of the board. This intentionalinstability of the board adds a fun dynamic element to the gameplay.

To provide gameplay that is similar to the known cornhole gameplay, onehole is preferably respectively provided in two different gameplayregions on the board. In a single unitary boar embodiment, the board maybe divided in half to define gameplay regions where a hole is providedin each gameplay regions. In the embodiment with two half-boards, eachboard may define gameplay regions in which a hole is preferablyprovided.

Thus, gameplay and scoring that is similar to typical cornhole can beprovided along with the unique dynamic tilting gameplay of the presentinvention. It is also possible, in accordance with the presentinvention, to provide different configurations and number of holes inthe boards. For example, more than one hole can be provided in theboards or no holes provided in the boards. In the latter embodiment withno holes in the boards, gameplay is focused on the unique dynamictilting gameplay.

It should also be noted that the springs are preferably enclosed withplastic caps to prevent injury and ensure the longevity of the springperformance and, preferably, there are two pairs of springs, one pairfor each side of the board, as will be discussed in detail below. Theboard may be of any shape, size or configuration. For example, the boardmay be of a rectangular shape where the board is divided lengthwise intotwo gameplay areas. Holes may be provided in those gameplay areas. Othershapes are possible for the board, such as hexagonal, triangular, andthe like. Such different shapes may be carried out whether the board isa single unitary board or two half-boards connected together. For theembodiment with two half-boards, each half-board may be of a hexagonalshape or any shape.

The use of different shapes for the top board or half-boards, such as ahexagon adds to the challenge to the game, although other shapes andsizes are possible. Throwing an object, such as a bean bag, at thecenter of the board would be the easiest location to land an object dueto the stability at the central pivot region of the board. By usinghexagon shapes, such as for both half-boards in the split boardembodiment, the resultant collective board with two hexagons matedtogether at one hinged edge, the center of the collective board isnarrowed which makes it harder for the player to throw a gaming objectin the center of the board. Many other shapes are envisioned and areconsidered within the scope of the present invention.

An object of the present invention is to provide players with a dynamicversion of an object toss target that is highly portable andstructurally sound.

A further object of the present invention is to provide object toss gameequipment that is not only foldable into a compact form to facilitatestorage and transport but also to provide unique and improved gameplayover boards that are static.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an object tosstarget game that not only uses a unique shape and configuration but alsoadds variation to gameplay with a new and novel, and unique tiltmechanism to dramatically change the user's experience into a much moredynamic, fun and interesting game.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an objecttoss target game that folds on the center mechanism to present a handleon the top of the board for easy carrying and transport.

There is yet another object of the present invention to provide objecttoss target game equipment that includes two half-boards that, togetherwhen in an open condition, provide a gameboard as one unit.

There is still another object of the present invention to provide anobject toss target game where the folded half-boards provide an internalcavity for storing the gaming objects to be throw or tossed therein,such as bean bags, while the game is not in use to avoid loss of thegaming objects and ease of portability. The two half-boards locktogether to ensure that the gaming objects trapped therein do not fallout and remain therein. The locking is achieved by two clipping locks oneither side of the board that engage when the two board halves makecontact.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall becomeapparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered inconnection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features that are characteristic of the present invention areset forth in the appended claims. However, the invention's preferredembodiments, together with further objects and attendant advantages,will be best understood by reference to the following detaileddescription taken in connection with the accompanying Figures in which:

FIGS. 1-2 show the general configuration and arrangement of the objecttoss game of the present invention in use;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are bottom perspective views of the object toss game withlegs attached and ready for use;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the object toss game with legs attached andready for use;

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view throught the longitudinal line 6-6of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the object toss game of the present inventionwith the legs nested and stored under the half-boards;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the half-boards folded up with the legscontained therein in preparation for transport; and

FIG. 9 is a top view of the object toss game in a folded condition readyfor transport or storage.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the object toss game at rest in alevel condition before game play;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the object toss game in a tiltedcondition after gameplay has started with an object resting on therightmost half-board thereby tilting it to the right;

FIGS. 12A and 12B show then the gameplay surface is in a neutralposition with both left and right pairs of springs maintaining the boardin a level, horizontal position;

FIGS. 13A and 13B show when the gameplay surface that is tilted to theleft due to objects present on the left side of the gameplay surfacethereby compressing the left pair of springs;

FIGS. 14A and 14B show then gameplay surface that is tilted to the rightdue to objects present on the right side of the gameplay surface therebycompressing the right pair of springs;

FIG. 15 shows a view of the bottom of the gameplay surface with capsremoved from the left pair and right pair of springs to reveal thespring members therein; and

FIGS. 16A-D show various views of another embodiment of the inventionwith a single unitary board in a rectangular shape to provide thegameplay surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The new and unique invention bag toss game of the present is shown indetail in the attached figures.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a first embodiment 10of the gaming object toss target game of the present invention is shown.As can be seen in this first embodiment of the present invention, two,preferably hexagonal, half-boards 12 a, 12 b are hingedly connected toone another to provide a unitary gameplay surface, generally referred toas 12 with two holes 14 located respectively located in each of thehalf-boards 12 a, 12 b. As shown in FIG. 13 below, a single board 112,in second embodiment 100, may be employed instead of the multipleconnected boards 12 a, 12 b as in the first embodiment 10 of FIG. 1.Supporting legs 18 are also provided, as will be discussed in detailbelow. The tilting operation of the embodiment 10 of FIG. 1 andembodiment 100 of FIG. 13 are essentially same and, for ease ofdiscussion, will be addressed together to the extent possible.

A number of gaming objects 16, bean bags in this example, are shownresting on the top gameplay surface 12 of the present invention wherethe gaming objects 16 preferably include a PVC grip dot fabric to createbetter game play by avoiding excessive gaming object sliding across thetop surface of the board 12 (whether a unitary single board 112 or twohalf-boards 12 a, 12 b assembled together). Also, FIG. 1 shows a roughtop surface, which is preferably provided by a pebble grained sticker,for example,

Turning now to FIG. 2, a top view of the gameplay surface 12 (in thisview, two boards 12 a, 12 b mated together at a central hinge) is shown.The hexagonal shaped half-boards 12 a, 12 b are mated together toprovide a reduced width center landing region surface 12 c. Preferably,the holes 14 are 4 inches in diameter and include catch nets 20therebelow, which can be mesh fabric stapled to the surface underneaththe boards or they may be molded plastic netting. FIGS. 13A-D show anembodiment 100 of the invention with the single unitary gameplay board112 with a leg support 18 mounted to the underside thereof.

The use of one hole 14 in opposing sides of the gameplay surface 12, 112(whether one in each of the two half-boards or in two opposing regionsof a single unitary board, the present invention provides gameplay thatis similar to the known cornhole gameplay. Thus, in this preferredembodiment, gameplay and scoring can be achieved that is similar totypical cornhole along with the unique dynamic tilting gameplay of thepresent invention. It is also possible, in accordance with the presentinvention, to provide different configurations and number of holes 14 inthe boards 12 a, 12 b or unitary board 112. For example, more than onehole 14 can be provided in in a single unitary board 112 or inindividual boards 12 a, 12 b are that are connected together to providethe gameplay surface 12. Therefore, regardless of whether the gameplaysurface 12 is a single unitary surface 112 or multiple partial boards 12a, 12 b are connected together to provide the gameplay surface 12, anynumber of holes 14 may be provided in the gameplay surface 12. Thenumber of holes 14 can provide different gameplay options. For example,if more than one hole 14 is provided in each board 12 a, 12 b or morethan two holes 14 are provided in a single board 112, additional scoringgameplay and points assigned for the different holes 14. Also, in theembodiment of the invention where there are no holes (not shown) in theboards 12 a, 12 b, 112, gameplay could be focused on the unique dynamictilting gameplay and trying to knock the gaming objects 16 of one'sopponent off on the gameplay surface 12.

In FIG. 3, a bottom perspective view of the first embodiment 10 of thepresent invention with legs 18 attached to the spring-biased leg mountand central hinge structure 22. The two pairs of legs 18 a, 18 b slideonto the respective free ends 24 on the leg mount on opposing sides ofthe game device 10. The spring-biased leg mount 26 spring-biases thegameplay surface 12 to a neutral level position. Coil springs, leafsprings and any other spring structures may be used to achieve thespring-biasing of the gameplay surface 12 to the desired neutral levelposition when at rest. Details of the spring-biasing are shown in FIG.12 and discussed in detail below.

FIG. 4 shows another view of the bottom of the attachment of the legs 18a, 18 b to the leg mount 22 to prepare the game for use. FIG. 5 shows afurther view, namely a bottom view, to the show the attached legs . FIG.6 is a cross-section view of the game through the line 6-6 of FIG. 5. Ascan be seen, the leg mount 22 enables the half-boards 12 a, 12 b to bepositioned at a substantially level position in preparation forgameplay. Thus, at rest, the half-boards 12 a, 12 b, collectivelytogether providing a gameplay surface 12, create a substantially levelplaying surface where the surface is spring-biased to such levelposition of FIG. 6, namely the gameplay surface is spring-biased to ahorizontal position that is parallel to ground or whatever surface thedevice is resting on.

A first embodiment 10 of the game of the present invention is veryportable because it can be folded up neatly with the legs 18 a, 18 bsnapped into place. The gaming objects 16, such as beanbags, can also bestored inside the compartment 30 defined by the two half-boards 12 a, 12b when folded, as in FIG. 7. This figure also shows a bottom view of theobject toss target game of the present invention with the half-boards 12a, 12 b hingedly expanded and locked into an open condition with thelegs 18 a, 18 b installed thereby providing the equipment into an opengameplay condition. The legs 18 a, 18 b are preferably provided in pairswith a base 19 connecting the two legs of each pair 18 a, 18 b together.Each base 19 includes a hole 21 that press-fits over a post 23 locatedon opposing sides of the center mechanism 22. When installed, the legs18 a, 18 b are fixed to an outer portion 22 b via the posts 23 of thecenter mechanism 22 that is connected an inner portion 22 a of thecenter mechanism 22. The rotational movement of the outer portion 22 bis rotationally biased by the springs to a neutral center position, asdiscussed below. The inner portion 22 a is fixed relative to the boards12 a, 12 b (or board 112 in embodiment 100) while the outer portion 22 brotates relative to the boards 12 a, 12 b (or board 112 in embodiment100). Thus, when there is an even distribution of gaming objects 16resting on the gameplay surface 12 or there are no gaming objects 16 onthe gameplay surface 12 of the boards 12 a, 12 b (or board 112 inembodiment 100), the springs locate the gameplay surface to a levelcondition. When there is an uneven balance of weight on the top surfacesof the boards 12 a, 12 b (or board 112 in embodiment 100), the boards 12a, 12 b (or board 112 in embodiment 100) will tilt relative to the legs18 a, 18 b thereby causing an imbalance and added dynamic gameplay.

Also, a slide 32 in FIG. 7 can be seen to be engaged with the lockbrackets 34 on both of the half-boards 12 a, 12 b thereby securing theboards 12 a, 12 b in an open locked condition ready for gameplay. Asdiscussed below in connection with FIGS. 13A-D, no such lockingmechanism is required because a single unitary board 112 is employedinstead of multiple partial boards 12 a, 12 b that must be securedtogether.

FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the half-boards 12 a, 12 b in an open andunlocked condition where the lock slide 32 is disengaged. The equipmentis ready to be folded for transport and storage. Moreover, the legs 18a, 18 b are shown nested into their snapping locks for security duringtransportation. Nets 20 for holes 14 are stapled into, respective,recessed routed out areas to ensure the lock slide 32 can slide over theholes. The slide lock 32 preferably includes a ridged profile so it canslidably through brackets 34 on both of the half-boards 12 a, 12 b.Thus, the sliding action of the slide lock 32 effectively locks the twohalf-boards 12 a, 12 b to each other so they do not collapse. FIG. 7shows the slide lock 32 in a retracted unlocked position where the slidelock 32 resides in the lower of the lock brackets 34 and not the upperof the lock brackets 34 thereby leaving the half-boards 12 a, 12 b in anunlocked position so they may be freely folded.

The latches 36 are shown on opposite ends so that when closed the deviceis sufficiently secured in that closed condition. The center mechanism22 is assembled with spring caps trapped so that springs will always bein the correct position. The center mechanism 22 is fastened usinggrommets 38 to ensure that the plastic parts never separate from theboard top.

FIG. 8 shows an end view of the embodiment 10 of the object toss targetgame of FIG. 1 now folded up in portable mode. The center hingemechanism 22 can be seen in which the mounted board arms swivel forclosing.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the embodiment 10 of the presentinvention is a folded portable mode with handle 40 exposed. The slidelock 32 can be seen through the hole 14 which illustrates that thehalf-boards 12 a, 12 b are in an unlocked position, thereby allowingthem to be folded to each other and for the board to close for transportand storage. This lock 32 is essential for keeping the board 12 in aplayable position while also preventing damage.

FIG. 12-15 provide further details of the spring-biasing of the gameplaysurface 12 to a level condition. FIGS. 12A and 12B show then thegameplay surface 12 is in a neutral position with left spring-biasingmembers, generally referred to 42 a, 42 b, and right pairs ofspring-biasing members, generally referred to as 44 a, 44 b, maintainingthe gameplay surface 12 in a level, horizontal position. Left springs 42a, 42 b and right springs 44 a, 44 b are in an extended condition andpush substantially equally against the respective shoulders 46 a, 46 bon the left legs and shoulders 48 a, 48 b on the right legs. Thus, theleg pairs 18 a, 18 b are in a neutral rotational position about thetransverse pivot axis 50 through the leg pairs 18 a, 18 b.

FIG. 15 shows the spring elements 42 a′, 42 b′, 44 a′, 44 b′ ofspring-biasing members 42 a, 42 b on the left and spring-biasing members44 a, 44 b on the right with protective caps 52 removed for illustrationpurposes so the spring elements 42 a′, 42 b′, 44 a′, 44 b′ therein, sucha coil spring, can be easily seen. While a coil spring is preferred anyother type of spring element member may be used. Further, the springelements 42 a′, 42 b′, 44 a′, 44 b′ are shown residing in a base cup 54for added stability and containment of the springs.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show when the gameplay surface 12 that is tilted tothe left due to objects present on the left side of the gameplay surface12 thereby compressing the left pair of spring-biasing members 42 a, 42b. If the weight and position of an object or objects 16 on the leftside of the gameplay surface 12 is sufficient, the left spring-biasingmembers 42 a, 42 b will compress to maintain the gameplay surface 12 ina position tilted to the left thereby rotating the gameplay surface 12about the transverse pivot axis 50 in a counterclockwise direction. Oncethe objects 16 are removed or moved enough, the forces of the left pairof spring-biasing members 42 a, 42 b will change the level of thegameplay surface 12. For example, if the objects 16 are completelyremoved, the forces of the left spring-biasing members 42 a, 42 b willpush up on the left side thereby reorienting the gameplay surface 12 toa level condition.

FIGS. 14A and 14B show when the gameplay surface 12 that is tilted tothe right due to objects 16 present on the right side of the gameplaysurface 12 thereby compressing the right pair of spring-biasing members44 a, 44 b. If the weight and position of an object or objects 16 on theright side of the gameplay surface 12 is sufficient, the rightspring-biasing members 44 a, 44 b will compress to maintain the gameplaysurface 12 in a position tilted to the right thereby rotating thegameplay surface 12 about the transverse pivot axis 50 in a clockwisedirection. Once the objects 16 are removed or moved enough, the forcesof the right pair of spring-biasing members 44 a, 44 b will change thelevel of the gameplay surface 12. For example, if the objects 16 arecompletely removed, the forces of the right pair of spring-biasingmembers 44 a, 44 b will push up on the right side thereby reorientingthe gameplay surface 12 to a level condition.

It should be understood that the compression of the spring-biasingmembers 42 a, 42 b, 44 a, 44 b may be full or partial depending on theposition and location of one or more objects 16 on the gameplay surface12. Thus, the resultant tilting of the gameplay surface 12 may also fullor partial. For example, a slight imbalance of weight on the gameplaysurface 12 on one side may cause the gameplay surface 12 to tiltslightly to that side. Then, if another object 16 lands on the sameside, further imbalance may be created to cause a full tilting to thatside. On the other hand, if there is a slight tilt to one side and asubsequent object 16 lands on the opposing side, the gameplay surface 12may level out or tilting to the opposing side, all depending on thelocation and number objects 16 on the gameplay surface 12.

The engagement of shoulders 46 a, 46 b, 48 a, 48 b of the legs 18 a, 18b into releasable engagement with spring-biasing members 42 a, 42 b, 44a, 44 b on the bottom of the gameplay surface 12, other structures maybe used to spring-bias the gameplay surface 12 toward a level,horizontal position. For example, the interface of the legs 18 a, 18 bto the posts 23 may be configured with a rotational spring mechanism(not shown). Any such rotational spring-biasing is envisioned to bewithin the scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 16A-D show various views of a second embodiment 100 of the presentinvention where the gameplay surface 112 is provided by a single unitaryboard structure instead of multiple boards being connected together.This embodiment 100 also shows a rectangular shaped board 112, asanother example of a different shaped configuration that may be used inaccordance with the present invention. Such a single unitary boardstructure 112 may be preferred for rigidity and reduction of cost.However, the nature of gameplay, as discussed below, remains the same.The single board 112 has a top gameplay surface that is essentially thesame as the gameplay surface 12 of the first embodiment 10 above. Thesupport, for example in the form of the spring-biasing legs 18, areattached to the bottom surface 112 a of the single board 112. As aresult, the embodiment of FIGS. 13A-13D operates the same as the firstembodiment 10 with multiple partial boards 12 a, 12 b connected togetherbut does not fold or collapse for even further compact storage andtransport. For example, FIG. 13A shows a perspective view that shows asingle unitary board 112 with support legs 18 attached to the bottom 112a thereof and holes 14 through different regions of the board 112. FIG.13B shows a top view of the single unitary board 112 while FIG. 13Cshows a bottom view with the spring-biasing leg supports 18 attached tothe bottom surface 112 a of the single unitary board 112. Still further,FIG. 13D shows a side view of the single unitary board 112 supported bythe spring-biasing legs 18 to urge the board 112 to a neutral levelhorizontal position relative to ground.

Gameplay is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and is the same for both disclosedembodiments of the present invention. For ease of discussion, gameplaywill be shown and discussed in connection with the first embodiment 10that uses multiple partial boards 12 a, 12 b connected together butwould be applicable to the second embodiment 100 as well that uses asingle unitary board 112. FIG. 10 shows the gameplay surface 12, asdefined by the two half-boards 12 a, 12 b locked together (or a singleunitary board 112), is substantially level at the start of gameplay. Thegameplay surface 12 is spring-biased to the level condition as shown inFIG. 10, however, the gameplay surface 12 may freely tilt back andforth, as indicated by the arrows. As in FIG. 11, when a player throws agaming object 16 and it lands on the gameplay surface 12 and the weightdistribution is uneven, such as with more weight on the right side ofthe gameplay surface 12, the gameplay surface 12 will tip toward theside with the additional weight and can even tip all the way to theground. For example, in FIG. 11, a gaming object 16 has landed on theright side of the gameplay surface 12 thereby tilting the entiregameplay surface 12 to the right adding interest to the game.Preferably, the rotational spring-biasing provides a gradual resistancefrom the springs so it doesn't tip all the way until there are manygaming objects 16 on one side. The gameplay goal could be, for example,to make the opponent's side drop completely down. During gameplay,gaming objects 16 may accumulate in different areas or even fall off ofthe gameplay surface 12 thereby tilting the gameplay surface 12 back andforth during a given round of gameplay. This further adds to gameplaythat is not found in regulation cornhole.

It should be noted that the single unitary board 112 and half-boards 12a, 12 b of the present invention are preferably made of wood but can bemade of pressboard, plastic or metal. Also, for retaining multiplepartial boards together, the slide lock is preferably made of metal butcan be made of other materials, such as plastic. Further the hinge 22and legs 18 a, 18 b are preferably made of metal but can be made ofother materials, such as plastic.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structureembodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the artthat various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventiveconcept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms hereinshown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An object toss target game using objects that canbe tossed, comprising: a board having a top surface and a bottomsurface; the board having a plurality of gaming regions; a membermovably connected to the bottom of the board and being configured andarranged to rest on a support; the board being spring-biased to aneutral position level relative to the surface via the support; whereby,upon tossing of an object onto the top surface of board, uneven weighton the top surface of the board causes the board to tilt to a non-levelposition relative to the support.
 2. The object toss target game ofclaim 1, wherein the member is at least one leg.
 3. The object tosstarget game of claim 1, wherein the support is connected to the bottomsurface of the board at a substantial middle portion thereof dividingthe board into two gaming regions.
 4. The object toss game of claim 1,wherein the support is pivotally connected to the bottom surface of theboard.
 5. The object toss game of claim 1, wherein the support isspring-biased to the member by a spring.
 6. The object toss game ofclaim 1, wherein the objects are selected from the group consisting ofbeanbags, balls, and horseshoes.
 7. The object toss target game of claim1, wherein the board is substantially rectangular in shape.
 8. Theobject toss target game of claim 3, wherein the shape of each of thegaming regions of the board are substantial hexagonal.
 9. The objecttoss target game of claim 1, wherein the board includes at least onehole therethrough.
 10. The object toss target game of claim 3, whereinthe board includes at least one hole in each of the gaming regions. 11.The object toss target game of claim 1, wherein the board is a firstboard portion having a top surface and a second board portion having atop surface hingedly connected to each other by hinge.
 12. The objecttoss target game of claim 11, further comprising: a lock securing thefirst board portion to the second board portion whereby the top surfaceof the first board portion and the top surface of the second boardportion are substantially co-planar with each other thereby providing agameplay surface.
 13. The object toss target game of claim 11, whereinthe support is connected to the hinge.